The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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BASKETBALL RECRUITING Walton Jr. continues to move up and is finding a place among the best. Walton was an "absolute stud on both ends of the floor," Rivals.com's Eric Bossi reported, in leading the Michigan Mustangs to an adidas Su- per 64 championship in Las Vegas, notching 16 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds in a title game win over a loaded Florida Elite squad. He went toe to toe with five-star point guard Kasey Hill, who is ranked No. 7 nationally, and more than held his own in earning MVP honors. "He went right at defenders' chests on drives, dimed up his teammates with pinpoint passes, defended at a high level and generally played with a level of confidence that allowed him to do whatever he wanted to do," Bossi reported. Bossi said Walton played with a purpose and could be a candidate to move up from his No. 57 ranking. "I don't know where we're going to move him, but I would think he could move up," Bossi said. "I just don't know how much or far. A lot guys played above where they were ranked. There are seven or eight who have separated themselves, but the difference between No. 10 and 150 is smaller than it's been in a long time. After the top 150, there are probably 90 guys you could make an argu- ment for being in the top 150. It's a very deep class." Bossi said he's always liked Wal- U-M pledge Zak Irvin, the No. 68 prospect in the 2013 class according to Rivals.com, had a strong showing at the adidas Super 64 tournament July 25-29 in Las Vegas. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM igan-bound Zak Irvin was doing," Bossi wrote. "The 6-foot-6 wing car- ried the load offensively for the Eric Gordon All-Stars while playing sol- idly on the defensive end. His spe- cialty is the pull-up jumper, and he's added some wiggle off the dribble while continuing to be a threat from beyond the arc. A big kid with im- proved athleticism, he looks to be another great fit up in Ann Arbor." Bossi later added that Irvin, who is Rivals.com's No. 68 prospect in the 2013 class, seemed to have grown since last summer. "I don't know that he's really 6-7, ton and his balanced all-around game, but something caught his eye in Vegas. "The couple of times I watched him he played with a nasty, physical edge to him," he said. "Kasey Hill was not his normal self, just exhausted. He hadn't been home since he left for the LeBron camp. But Walton just went at him and went at him, and they beat a team that had just dominated everyone. "Walton played with an aggres- siveness I hadn't seen. Every time he took the ball to the rim he'd get an arm out, create contact. He had a new edge and an aggressiveness I hadn't seen before." The 6-0 Walton capped a summer in which he proved himself as one of the nation's top point guards. Fishers, Ind., standout Zak Irvin (6-6, 190) was also stellar in Las Vegas, "It's hard not to like what Mich- Buy Now *Offer expires December 31, 2012. Prices and charges are subject to change without notice. Void where prohibited. (C) 2012 The Popcorn Factory, Inc. ������MI ������ SEPTEMBER 2012 THE WOLVERINE 83 but he's 6-6. Some are saying he's bigger than [U-M frosh] Glenn Rob- inson now," Bossi said. "He clearly looked much bigger than last year. He handled the ball a lot more and had a little more going to the rim rather than just settling for jumpers. He was easier in the past to guard knowing he was probably not going to the rim." Irvin might have been his team's best defensive player, too, Bossi added. said. "Plus, I talked about Walton being willing to play physical — Zak also took it up another notch. He hasn't been as physical in the past, but he was strong." Fort Wayne, Ind., shooting guard Austin Hatch (6-6, 214 pounds) still has yet to be cleared to play by doc- tors following last summer's plane crash that left him with a traumatic head injury. Michigan's fourth pledge, 6-9 Mark Donnal of Whitehouse, Ohio, mean- while, moved from three to four stars following an impressive spring showing. He also played well at the Michigan team camp and took part in the NBPA Top 100 camp, where he also had his moments. Donnal is Rivals.com's No. 106 player overall. ❑ For regular reports on basketball recruit- ing, plus videos of all the top prospects in the nation and Michigan's commitments, visit TheWolverine.com. They'll Study Harder With A Care Package From "He's moving his feet better," he